MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins were 21 games under .500 and playing before another small crowd as Derek Jeter spoke in the fifth inning Wednesday night Josh Reddick Jersey , so he didn’t sugarcoat the state of the franchise 10 months into his tenure as CEO.“We have a ways to go,” Jeter said. “No one is happy with what has happened to this point. But we are headed in the right direction.”The rookie executive bases his optimism in part on a succession of trades that depleted the major league roster but replenished a farm system that had ranked among baseball’s worst.Reliever Brad Ziegler and outfielder Cameron Maybin, two well-traveled veterans who were not part of the Marlins’ long-term plans, were swapped for prospects at last month’s trade deadline. Miami kept All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto and several other young players who could become part of Jeter’s rebuilding effort.“Every move we make with this organization is always to make us better,” Jeter said. “We’re not in a position of just giving players away. So we’re happy with what we added at the trade deadline. We’re also happy with what we were able to keep here.”The Marlins are interested in a long-term contract for Realmuto, which would underscore a change in philosophy under Jeter for a franchise long accustomed to heavy roster turnover.“J.T. in my opinion is at right at the top of the list as being one of the best all-around catchers in baseball,” Jeter said. “He is a guy we would love to have here long term.”The Marlins have relied heavily on young players this season, with decidedly mixed results. One benefit Tyler Clippard Jersey , Jeter said, has been the opportunity to evaluate promising but unproven talent — even players not faring well.“I like to see when guys struggle,” he said. “I want to see how you respond to struggling, because you’re going to struggle at some point.”Not struggling much has been rookie right fielder Brian Anderson, who began the night batting .285 with 37 extra-base hits.“He should be at the top of the list when anybody talks about Rookie of the Year,” said Jeter, who won the award himself in 1996. Most Toronto Blue Jays fans and pundits were obviously unhappy with the small return they got from the Cleveland Indians for Josh Donaldson, and it turns out they had a much better trade offer in the winter.According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Marwin Gonzalez Jersey , the St. Louis Cardinals offered two players for Donaldson during the winter, and one of them was 2018 NL Rookie of the Year candidate Jack Flaherty.The greatest thing to happen to the #Stlcards was the #Bluejays鈥?rejection of the Cards鈥?trade proposal this winter for Josh Donaldson. They offered two players, a Jays official said, that included rookie of year candidate Jack Flaherty. The Jays turned it down.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 14, 2018Instead, the Blue Jays held onto Donaldson in hopes of competing for a playoff spot, and it turned out to be a giant mistake. Donaldson was sidelined for three months because of a calf injury, giving them no choice but to deal the 2015 AL MVP for a minimal return - a player to be named later.advertisingReports suggest the player to be named later is minor league pitcher Julian Merryweather http://www.angelsfanproshop.com/authentic-mike-trout-jersey , who hasn't pitched this year because of Tommy John surgery. Certainly not as good as the return St. Louis was offering. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsFlaherty has eight wins on the season and has an ERA of 2.86, with a whopping 168 strikeouts in 138.1 innings pitched. He's been instrumental in the Cardinals' second half surge, one that will likely see them play in the NL Wild Card Game.The 23-year-old Flaherty has filled in nicely for a St. Louis pitching staff that has spent most of the season without Adam Wainwright. Meanwhile, 14 different pitchers have started a game for the Blue Jays this season. Imagine what Flaherty could have done to help a pitching staff marred by injuries, most namely to Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez.advertisingMany have been critical of the Blue Jays front office, due to a failed series of trades and free agent signings. Botching the Donaldson move was among the most questionable decisions in franchise history.It doesn't help that they passed on a young pitcher just entering his prime years.